Two decades after the arrival of the WTA to the Mexican Tennis Open, will take different directions as of 2021 and the Mexican players they will run out of one of the great showcases they have throughout the season.
Mextenis Group decided to end his relationship with the company ‘Octagón’, owner of the women’s tournament, And although they hope to have women’s tennis again in the coming years, the outlook looks complex both economically and due to the availability of finding one WTA franchise available.
<<CORRE WITH US IN THE OEM CAREER, SIGN UP! >>
“It was a 100% financial decision, where the company has a responsibility to the owners and we decided to do so. It has to do with the renewal of the contract we had, the tournament was not a franchise owned by Mextenis, we rented it. We had some differences that we could not reconcile and we decided that everyone should go their own way, “he said. the director of the AMT, Raúl Zurutuza.
“The idea is that in about 3 or 4 years we can buy a franchise and add it again. Now if you already have control of the property, that is the idea of the group. We have to balance financial issues, with this the pandemic it could be delayed a bit longer. It is a fact that in 2021 and 2022 surely we will not have women«He added in a conversation with the Sportsmen’s Journal.
It should be remembered that el WTA International is one of the three events scheduled in Mexico, next to Monterrey and Zapopan.
While female activity It is not the most followed by fans in Acapulco, situation that made them constantly put the mandatory match in the first turn of the main Stadium, in the last edition the phenomenon caused by Renata zarazua going into the semifinals increased interest.
“Yes, this decision is a shame, but the public will understand that we cannot make a financial decision for a player. It was the first time we had a semifinalist in many years, it’s a shame, we will miss them, but they are decisions that happen, “he also explained. director of tennis in Mexico City.
Renata and Giuliana, disillusioned by the decision
Bad time came the cancellation of one of the WTA International in Mexican territory.
The explosion of Renata Zarazúa and Giuliana Olmos, In addition to the new talents that have been shown under the orders of Agustín Moreno in the former Federation Cup, he gave a new air to the Mexican “white sport”, at least in the women’s branch. Now they run out of one of the most attractive stops on the calendar.
Zarazúa, current number 149 in the world, is in the sweetest moment of his career after having won a Roland Garros, but it was in this same year that it shone in Acapulco by getting into the semi-finals. Her first round victory over the American Sloane Stephens was crucial in terms of confidence and feeling competitive against a winner of Grand Slam.
«It makes me very sad that it is not going to take place the tournament in 2021. It is an event that has helped me a lot, since I have had the opportunity to play it several times and it is the one I like the most. I have had great matches and receiving the support of the people in your own country is an incredible experience, “he said. Zarazua in conversation with THIS. «Women’s tennis is highly valued in Mexico today, the truth is I don’t know the reason for Mextenis not to hold the tournament.
In the same way it was manifested Giuliana Olmos, who will not be able to defend the title he won this year in the doubles category: «I feel sad, I love playing in Acapulco for the people, I always do well there. No one can take away the fact that I was a champion. I knew there was that possibility, and I can’t do anything as a player. Hopefully in a few years the women’s tournament can return.
«It was a very important event for the development of Mexican tennis players, we have very few tennis tournaments. WTA, We could play at a very high level and it was amazing to know where we were. It was important to understand that Mexicans could do well in Acapulco», added the ranked number 60 in the world in pairs.
For his part, “Baby” Moreno, who has been part of his development as captain of the Mexican team in different international jousts, commented that “it is a pity when women are the ones who are pushing hard. It was a smaller tournament, they must have financial reasons, but the women’s team is much more attractive than the men’s. It’s bad for everyone.
The AMT aims at 50% of its capacity
A little more than four months to hold the Acapulco Open, The organization is fully confident of being able to carry it out and at the moment they only contemplate a capacity of 50%, pending the situation in the Port during the first days of 2021.
The edition 28 of the AMT, scheduled from February 22 to 27, It will be carried out without female activity and at the same time with the sanitary measures regarding the coronavirus recommended by the ATP. At the moment Mextenis Group they prefer to go calmly and wait for the end of the current season to follow the points established by the agency.
The director of the Open, Raúl Zurutuza, He explained that “a document has been updated every week. We decided to wait until November, and base ourselves on the final document. From there we will start to focus on the recommendations.
“We are selling 50% of the stadium’s capacity, we would see the rest later. The final decision will be in mid-January, it depends if Acapulco you will be at a yellow or green traffic light. In that situation, we could already sell more tickets and have one more tournament as normal. We have talked so much with the mayor of Acapulco as with the State of Guerrero and we have the same idea, “added the manager in a conversation with THIS.
Unlike what they originally had in mind, the tournament in 2021 It will be held in the same venue of the last two decades, postponing the change to ‘Arena Mía’ for up to two years. After a stoppage due to the pandemic, the works are already underway: «Construction continues. Two weeks ago I was surprised to see a couple of stands put up, the whole issue is very encouraging. The rains also complicated everything, we have to cheer it up. It is difficult that we can invest a lot of money this year knowing that in 2022 we will have another house.
By last, Zurutuza He acknowledged that the negotiation with the different figures on the tour is being very complicated due to “the doubts they have with the trips. At the moment we have no one confirmed.
????Listen to our Podcast of the week ????
